The presence of residents during orthopedic operation exerts no negative influence on outcome

BACKGROUND: Operative procedural training is a key component of orthopedic surgery residency. It is unclear how and whether residents participation in orthopedic surgical procedures impacts on post-operative outcomes. SOURCES OF DATA: A systematic search was performed to identify articles in which the presence of a resident in the operating room was certified, and was compared with interventions without the presence of residents. AREAS OF AGREEMENT: There is a likely beneficial role of residents in the operating room, and there is only a weak association between the presence of a resident and a worse outcome for orthopedic surgical patients. AREAS OF CONTROVERSY: Most of the studies were undertaken in USA, and this represents a limit from the point of view of comparison with other academic and clinical realities. GROWING POINT: The data provide support for continued and perhaps increased involvement of resident in orthopedic surgery. AREAS OF RESEARCH: To clarify the role of residents on clinically relevant outcomes in orthopedic patients, appropriately powered randomized control trials should be planned.